Fallbrook Kiwanians hear talk on West Nile Virus

FALLBROOK -- Human vigilance is one of the best tools infighting the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus, a member of thecounty's Community Health Education Team told local Kiwanians onTuesday.

Le-Anh Nguyen, who works for the county Department of
Environmental Health Vector Control Program, was the guest speaker
at the Fallbrook Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday at First Christian
Church.

She spoke about ways that county residents can help reduce the
threat of West Nile, a potentially deadly disease that largely
affects birds but can by transmitted to humans via mosquitoes that
have bitten an infected bird.

In 2005, one case of West Nile Virus in humans was reported in
San Diego County. The victim, a Rancho Bernardo resident, has fully
recovered and is believed to have contracted the disease outside
the county.

Also in 2005, 161 dead birds tested positive for the West Nile
Virus in the county, compared with 34 the year before. Most of
these birds were discovered in North County and East County. Eleven
of them were in Fallbrook, Nyguen said.

"If you see a dead bird, that is a good indication there is West
Nile virus," Nguyen said.

One key to preventing the spread of the disease is catching
mosquitos at the larvae stage -- before they mature, she said.

Because standing water attracts mosquitos and allows them to
breed, residents should carefully examine their homes and
workplaces and eliminate any areas where water is not draining
away, she said.

"There are a lot of small sources where mosquitos can breed,"
said Nguyen, who accompanied her talk with a video. She said the
county can help people identify such trouble spots.

Mosquitos can breed in an inch of standing water. Even buckets
and coffee cans left outside can collect rain water and become a
problem, officials have said.

Decorative ponds should be stocked with fish that eat mosquito
larvae, Nguyen said. Items such as birdbaths should be cleaned
weekly.

People can also help protect themselves from West Nile Virus by
wearing long pants and long-sleeved, light-colored shirts,
especially when outside at dawn and dusk. Wearing insect repellents
containing DEET also is recommended.

To report dead birds for collection and testing, call (888)
551-INFO.

Detailed information about West Nile Virus is available at
www.SDFightTheBite.com.